Sunday, July 24, 2011

In October, it will be 3 years since I started blogging on Schnitzel and the Trout. I have not always posted in a timely fashion, but today, this is my 500th posting. The Trout asked me how I could possibly have that much to talk about. HA!! It really has been easy. But more importantly, it has been fun.

I have been able to share some fun events, lots of traveling, some sadness and some family recipes. I have also talked some about my roots, being born in the Amana Colonies in Iowa. I know several of you have visited the Colonies and some of you are curious about what they are all about.

Amana is a seven village German community in Iowa where people talk with accents and many of those people have never set foot in Germany. It is a great place to raise children, to grow up in safety and lots of love. I still have many childhood friends from Kindergarten whom I connect with on a regular basis. Having said all this, I no longer live there. I moved away when I married, but there are cousins I still visit and friends when I have a chance to go back.

So, for this 500th posting, I am giving away a cook from the Amana Colonies. Not only is this a cookbook, but a history book of the community and its religious beliefs and how they came to settle in Iowa. It also contains the rhubarb pie recipe I posted on July 5.

The recipes are outstanding. I use the book often to remind me of my beginnings; the food that was present on our dining table, lovingly prepared by my mother and grandmother. Several of the recipes in the book came directly from my mother.

If you are interested in winning the Amana Colonies cookbook, Seasons of Plenty, please leave me a comment by midnight, July 27, and I will announce the winner on Thursday, July 28.

I also want to add that it is so thrilling for me to have comments from all of you who read me regularly. I appreciate my "followers" because that is what keeps me writing. I know many of you are still lurking out there also. I am puzzled that several of you are visiting almost every day...weekly for sure, but I don't know your name. Someone from Sweden visits so very often that I feel I know you, but you have never left a comment. This is the time to step out of your screens and let me know who you are. Now onto the next 500!!!

35 comments:

Five hundred posts - congratulations Susan. That is quite an accomplishment. The Trout's comment sounds like something my husband would say.

Your background is very interesting. My paternal great-grandparents came to this country from Germany after the American Civil War and settled in Kansas, so I have German roots. Again, congratulations on three years and 500 posts. Sam

Wow, three years and 500 posts! And you know what? Every one of the posts that I've read since I started following you have been interesting, educational, entertaining and at times touching. Thank you and congrats on your blogversary!

Congratulations and kudos for five hundred posts, Susan. Your writing has taken me places I have never been and introduced me to things I would otherwise not have been exposed to and I appreciate that very much. I also appreciate your visits and comments. It is rather amazing to me the sense of communtiy that I have found in the blog world. Who would have EVER thought? Certainly, not me. I would be honored to receive your Amana cookbook. Thank you for the chance.

Dear Susan, Congratulations on your 500th post.......I don't know if you still ever read my blog, but I read yours with great pleasure! I won't be in the drawing for this cookbook because your postings about Amana had already inspired me to buy a copy! It is indeed a lovely cookbook and how generous to offer this as a giveaway! May you continue to share your life with all of us! You have the best kind of blog!

Susan, I often lurk and don't comment but I love reading about all of your adventures overseas and in Montana. I have so many memories of hanging out at your house during junior high and high school. Many blessings to you and the Trout. Kara Schoenecker

I love to visit your blog to see what you and the Trout are up to! Plus, reading your blog brings back all the great memories of the times we have spent together in person! Now to arrange to spend more time together.....when are you coming back to the Valley of the Sun?

Congratulations! 500 posts is easy to do, because talking about our love of food and travel has no limitations. I don't post that often, due to my work schedule. I've learned it doesn't matter. The Blogger community becomes a very close family of friends. I'll stick with you, Susan. I look forward to more of your posts.Debby

Hi Susan. Has it been that long and that many blogs? Can you imagine if I had a blog...ahh trying to find something to write about and talk about would be easy and by now I would have 10,000---so tell Dale that. But I am impressed that you kept track. Mostly your blog makes my mouth water with all the great recipes and pictures of them and as you know, I am always counting and watching what I eat...most of the time. But I love the recipes. They have improved my repetoire at the table. Congratulations on working hard in retirement to provide some interesting and enjoyable stuff to friends and fellow bloggers and to make us all hungry! Or better cooks!I hope you continue with all your tales from the table to travels, from sunny Florida to big sky country Montana where even the wildlife can enjoy your expertise on wine.The cookbook sounds like a wonderful idea and so generous of you to share with those followers out there.One thing that none of them really know is that I have actually tasted your cooking in Florida and in Montana and back here in Wisconsin. But the best is that bread. For bread lovers everywhere, Susan made the best french bread ever tasted anywhere---which has made me think I could "live on bread alone." Truthfully, Christ said we cannot live on bread alone. We need to feed our soul..which comes from the love of Christ, who is life. Thank you for being a friend, for listening and caring and sharing.

Best wishes to continue on writing and sharing the fruits of your kitchen and the fun of discovery on your travels. Now..onward and redouble your efforts! LOL

Gods Blessing for you both,with Love,Laurie ErdmanEau Claire, WIPS-- you do well with pictures too. I think that makes the blog so worthwhile.

You would be surprised to learn that I would love to have the Amana cookbook. It would not be for me but for my sisters-in law-who love to cook. I should know. I gain about 8 pounds every time I spend a few days in Iowa. Actually, I will probably order it from Amazon so I hope it will go to one of your other followers. rw

Susan, congratulations on your500th posting! That is quite an accomplishment! I am ashamed to admit that Steve reads your blogs more than I do. However, some of your blogs that I do read bring up warm memories of growing up in the Amanas. Susan, I am very happy to be one of your kindergarten childhood friends that you wrote about!

It really is an achievement, Susan. Congratulations! I hope to be here to read the next 500 as well. I would love to be included in your drawing. Should I not win, is there a place where the book could be ordered. I am fascinated by communal and community living and especially love to read the recipes used to feed their members. I hope you are having a an enjoyable time on Trout's fishing expedition. Blessings...Mary

What a great celebration Susan! 500 posts; I should go check how many I am up to; will have to figure this out; I know it will 2 years ago sometimes in August.I really enjoy reading you and learn something new at each vist. You have a way with words that speak to me.My name is Rita blog name is Sage.Keep ow blogging and I will be here.Your blog pal.Rita

How very interesting! I have never heard of the Amana Colonies, I will look them up!I would love to be entered for the cookbook. I found you over at my friend Cathy at Wives with Knives.I am going to poke around your blog now.

That's a lot of posts, Susan so you deserve a huge congratulations!!! I have enjoyed reading your posts so much, especially regarding your travels. It's always interesting. And I'm so glad your Swedish reader came forth.

It sounds like you lived in a great community when you were young. Bill's father was German, his mother Swedish and the older family members all had their accents. The Amana Colonies cookbook would be a joy to own and use. Thanks for the great giveaway!

Congratulations on your 500th post, that is quite an accomplishment. I missed that you were from Amana Colonies. When my children were small we took a vacation there and just loved it. I would dearly love to win this cookbook.

How nice that your mother's recipes are in this book! It's a great giveaway for your 500th! I can't remember how I even found your blog, but have enjoyed reading it for some time now. This month, I've got 3 years under my blogging belt and am going to have a book giveaway, too!